I just got her about a week ago. the previous owners said they could only touch he nose and mouth area but could never get a halter on her. They had her since foal and there was a halter on her at one time. They also she had broke it and they drugged her to put on another and that one also broke. I can get close to her and touch her head, ears, neck,back and brush her some now. I have held the halter on her nose for short periods of time while she is eatting.She is very nervous and jumpy at sudden movements and some sounds. although that is slowly going away too. She has some scars on her flanks and behind her ears. She is 6 now and I think I'm am doing great with her so far. But I would appreciate any other advice on calming her and getting her used to the halter and lead.  If I had not taken her she was to be distroyed at the end of Sept. I couln't let that happen..

Well, I think it is great that you rescued this poor horse.  May God bless you for taking care of one of his creatures.

However, horses are big, slightly unpredictable, animals that can hurt you in a heartbeat if you aren't very careful and know a bit about what you are doing.  Please, be careful.  She might not hurt you on purpose, but you could still be injured.

She sounds like she needs a lot of quality bonding time.  And good ground manners as soon as you can manage to get a halter on her.  Being green/wild could make her really nervous and jumpy, but what you said also made me think of my blind gelding.  If they have problems with their sight, they can be extra sensitive.

Time, attention, and ground manners are probably the most urgent things she needs besides groceries and a vet visit or a farrier.  From your description, I wouldn't be surprized if she had never been trimmed or vaccinated.  Just go slow and steady desensitizing her to everything from the halter to ropes (and bags and tarps and anything new) and work up to teaching her to lead and go with cues on movement in a round pen.

There are lots of well informed people on this forum that will probably chime in with advise for you.  Best wishes for rehabilitating this horse.

I agree to be careful,and take your time with this horse. It sounds like you're on the right path. Let her get to know and trust you. She's lucky you got her,stay safe! keep us updated.

Sounds like you've taken on quite a handful there.  Agree with the other posters, be very careful with this horse as she could potentially spook and hurt you unintentionally.  It sounds like you're on the right track with her rehab.  Just spend a lot of time with her, grooming and touching her all over so she knows you won't hurt her.  For safety, consider putting brushes on the end of a stick, such as a broom handle (that way, if she spooks you are farther away). You might also want to start her on a calming supplement for the time being, just to take the edge off while you're trying to work with her.  Two that I've used with my rescue filly are At-Ease and Finish Line Thia-Cal.  The Thia-Cal is a liquid, and the At-Ease comes in both a tube of paste and a powder.  I gave my filly the At-Ease paste when I moved my horses from Ohio to Virginia, and it seemed to take the nervous edge off pretty well.  For your situation the powder supplement might be more cost effective.  Good luck and keep us posted!

Up date... as of 10-12 she has a halter on and will let me brush her some. I have gotten the tangles and matts out of her main and she stood while I had to cut some of them. she also follows me around with a lounge line on her. I used that in case something scared her she could move away. the padock is small so I didn't have to be pulled by her. she comes when I call her. I have been working with a clicker so she answers to it pretty well. slowly taking my time i think she will be a very nice horse and very smart. she catches on to things quick...and is comfortable with me.

Keep up the good work!

I want to thank everyone for there concern and advise. Yes I worked with horses before but never one that had no handling at all. So please if you have any more advise I would love to hear it. She is coming along great and I am in no hurry to get a saddle on her. Will be starting lounging this weekend. I have had a lead on her and she walks with me a little now. But I am trying some B-Kalm on her to see if it will help. Again Thank you all. It is greatly appreciated.

Sounds like she is coming along.  Keep up the good work.  Slow and steady will make a world of difference.  Please, keep us updated.

I agree with the other posters. Thank you for taking this horse and keeping her from being killed. There are some very good books and videos on the market dealing with fearful horses. Monty Roberts has done some demonstrations on gentling wild horses in 60 minutes, and in fact has been able to get a bridle and saddle on one and ride it all within that time. Maybe a 'horse whisperer' will be in your area soon.

You should attend a Clinton Anderson, Chris Cox, or Monty Clinic...might be a long trip, but would be well worth it, especially if you could bring her!!!

Bless you for rescuing her!  As everyone has said, be careful!  Slow and easy, build her trust. 

 I have also heard that a little lavender oil/lotion under their noses has a calming effect as well. Just in case you don't want to use "mediciny" type stuff.

Dreamer is coming along fne. I can brush all of her except the lower part of her legs now. She is standing still for me and I have removed her halter and put it on again with now "much" of a problem. She is getting there. My Aunt always said slow and steady like the turtle gets you farther. I'm in no hurry. As for her travling with me anywhere, I don't think that will happen right away. I don't want to push her to much right now. I also bought a horse ball for her to play with and she has learned to kinda through it at me when she wants my atten. She backs on command, and comes when I call her. My husbands thinks it's cute how she follows me around the pasture. I am just going to continue slowly with her and do alot more reading up. She doesn't turn her butt to me when I walk n the Stall, she always faces me. She loves the snow and I have thrown snowballs at her and it didn't bother her at all. I have been playing with ropes and other objects near her to get her used to different things. Again thanks for all the feed back it has been greatly appreciated..

Sounds like you and Dreamer are doing good.  Just keep up the good work and you will be surprized how far you can go.